by John C. Morley, Independent Producer
Community media is vital for community communications and engagement
In a media landscape dominated by national headlines, streaming platforms, and fast-moving social media, it’s easy to overlook the importance of local stories. Yet across New Jersey, community access television continues to play a vital role in keeping residents informed, connected, and engaged. Jersey Access Group (JAG) members stations and other local access stations serve as a reminder that the stories closest to home still matter deeply.
Posted: February 2, 2026 by Doug Seidel
Spotlight: Oakland TV – NJ Financing and Technical Support Available
The State of New Jersey has financial & technical assistance available to the communications arms of NJ communities
It’s there, but not always easy to find to find
I’d love to tell you there is a consistent way of accessing advisory services and financing within the State of New Jersey for support of communications to the citizenry of New Jersey, but that is not the case. There is a wealth of services available, if you can find it. This article is not intended e a one-size-fits-all answer to receiving technical and financial support for your public access channel or other means used to communicate to the citizenry of your municipality, but rather should serve as a guide to determine where to start identifying the sources you can use to bolster either financing or technologies that cross outside the domain of TelVue, Cablecast or other broadcasting platform your municipality utilizes.
Posted: January 29, 2026 by Doug Seidel
The Power of Community Access TV
by John C. Morley, Independent Producer
Community media is vital for community communications and engagement
In a media landscape dominated by national headlines, streaming platforms, and fast-moving social media, it’s easy to overlook the importance of local stories. Yet across New Jersey, community access television continues to play a vital role in keeping residents informed, connected, and engaged. Jersey Access Group (JAG) members stations and other local access stations serve as a reminder that the stories closest to home still matter deeply.
Posted: January 27, 2026 by Doug Seidel
Legislative Update January 2026: News from Trenton & Washington, DC – Changes in the FCC
Revisiting ADA Title II Web and Mobility Access Compliance to the WCAG 2.1 Level AA Rules
To prepare us for the important ADA Compliance Rules that are quickly approaching (by which many of us will have to abide), we want to once again review some information offered during JAG’s October General Meetings:
Posted: January 9, 2026 by Doug Seidel
Spotlight: Jordan Anderson Independent Producer – A Platform for Career Development
Jordan Anderson, Television Producer
Jordan Anderson is an aspiring producer and currently produces and directs three television shows at Piscataway Community Television. Jordan graduated from Rider University in December 2023 with a BFA degree in film and television. Having lived and studied in various cities (domestic and international) she strives to do the best work possible.
Posted: January 8, 2026 by Doug Seidel
How Your Phone Is Making Your Local TV Station Smarter
by John C. Morley, Independent Producer
Instead of competing, pull phones into the community TV experience
Local community TV has always been pretty simple at its core: turn on the channel and see people and places you actually recognize. That part still matters. What has changed is how viewers watch. They sit on the couch with a phone in their hand, half watching and half scrolling. That sounds like a problem, but for community stations it can actually be an opportunity. With a few new tech ideas, you can pull that phone into the experience instead of competing with it.
Posted: January 6, 2026 by Doug Seidel
Legislative Update December 2025: News from Trenton & Washington, DC – Changes in the FCC
American Broadband Act of 2025
On December 3rd, the House of Representatives, Committee on Energy and Commerce, hastily voted on a group of bills known together as H.R. 2289, The American Broadband Act of 2025. Inside this potpourri of bills, was one that could affect just about all cable franchises in the United States. Basically, this is H.R. 3557 all over again.
Posted: December 10, 2025 by Doug Seidel
Strategies to Increase Community Engagement through Local TV in 2025
by John C. Morley, Independent Producer
Community engagement is critical for local TV stations to remain relevant and valuable to their audiences in 2025. As people increasingly turn to diverse digital sources, local TV must deepen connections by creatively serving and involving their communities. The following are some strategic approaches designed to boost community engagement effectively and sustainably.
Posted: December 9, 2025 by Doug Seidel
Smarter Workflows for Community Stations: Switchboard Live’s Year of Updates
By Rudy Ellis, President, Switchboard
Dear JAG members,
As we reflect on this past year, we want to speak directly to you: the PEG stations, city teams, and community media communicators who make local transparency possible every single day. At Switchboard Live, our mission has always been to simplify live streaming so you can focus on what matters most: keeping your communities informed, connected, and confident. This year, we’ve introduced several important updates to help you do just that: